By Mike Bain- The Daily Examiner.

Yesterdays announcement from Health Minister Simeon Brown which aims to improve healthcare access and outcomes, both opposition parties and the medical community have voiced concerns about the effectiveness of these measures and the need for increased investment in the health system.

Brown announced an extra 100 placements for overseas-trained doctors to work in primary care, and incentives for the recruitment of 400 graduate nurses a year. Health New Zealand will also be putting an extra $285 million towards general practice, but the extra funding will be linked to performance. Additionally, a new 24-7 digital service will be set up to allow all New Zealanders to access online medical appointments.

Brown revealed the decisions alongside Prime Minister Christopher Luxon at the Monday Press Conference.

Brown emphasized that one of his key focuses as health minister was to ensure New Zealanders had better access to doctors and nurses at their local GP. “It makes no sense that overseas-trained doctors living in New Zealand are willing to work in primary care, but can’t, because there aren’t enough training opportunities. We are fixing this by building on a successful pilot in the Waikato and will support their transition into general practices that need them most.”

Brown also mentioned that the new digital service will give GPs and nurses the ability to issue prescriptions or make referrals for lab tests. “This is a practical solution which expands access to primary care for Kiwis and will provide an additional service to ensure New Zealanders have more access to timely and quality care.”

Prime Minister Luxon said the announcement was the first of several designed to improve health outcomes.

However, the opposition parties have raised concerns about the announcement.

Labour Party health spokesperson Dr. Ayesha Verrall criticized the government’s approach, stating that the real issue lies in the budget and the cuts to the health system. She emphasized that 3000 roles are being cut from the health system, which undermines the government’s efforts to improve healthcare access.

The medical community expressed skepticism.

The head of the New Zealand Nurses Organisation, Paul Goulter, pointed out that people are sicker because they are not getting equitable and affordable access to primary and community health, which in turn impacts the under-resourced hospital system. He called for a complete rethink of the government’s approach to addressing the failing health system.